Sponsor says he will drop staff privileges legislation

Published: Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at 11:00 p.m.

MONTGOMERY | The sponsor of a Senate bill requiring DCH Health Systems to allow cancer doctors to apply for privileges said Tuesday the bill is on hold because a compromise has been worked out.

"I won't fool with it anymore," said Sen. Larry Means, D-Attalla, the sponsor of a bill requiring DCH Health System to allow doctors with Southeast Cancer Network to apply for staff privileges.

The Senate Health Committee, chaired by Means, approved his bill on Feb. 9. It is on the Senate calendar.

Means said during the committee meeting that he would give doctors with Southeast Cancer Network and administrators with DCH Health System a couple of weeks "to work things out."

Subsequently, DCH President and CEO Bryan Kindred announced that Southeast Cancer Network would be allowed to apply for staff privileges at Northport Medical Center. Northport is part of the DCH system.

No one has challenged the medical credentials of Southeast Cancer Network doctors, but they were denied staff privileges based on an exclusive contract DCH has with another oncology group.

The Supreme Court in 2003 upheld DCH System's right to enforce its exclusive contract that froze out Southeast Cancer Network.

Oncology Associates of West Alabama has agreed to amend its contract to allow Southeast Cancer Network physicians to apply for staff privileges. The doctors will still have to meet all other entry requirements.

State Rep. Robert Bentley, R-Tuscaloosa, said the compromise is about what's best for those who need medical care.

"I think it's an acceptable compromise that has been worked out to the benefit of all patients in Tuscaloosa County," said Bentley, a physician.

Rep. Mike Millican, D-Hamilton, chairman of the House Health Committee who sponsored a bill identical to Means', said he would not push his House bill until someone asks for it.

<p>MONTGOMERY | The sponsor of a Senate bill requiring DCH Health Systems to allow cancer doctors to apply for privileges said Tuesday the bill is on hold because a compromise has been worked out.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>"I won't fool with it anymore," said Sen. Larry Means, D-Attalla, the sponsor of a bill requiring DCH Health System to allow doctors with Southeast Cancer Network to apply for staff privileges.</p><p>The Senate Health Committee, chaired by Means, approved his bill on Feb. 9. It is on the Senate calendar.</p><p>Means said during the committee meeting that he would give doctors with Southeast Cancer Network and administrators with DCH Health System a couple of weeks "to work things out."</p><p>Subsequently, DCH President and CEO Bryan Kindred announced that Southeast Cancer Network would be allowed to apply for staff privileges at Northport Medical Center. Northport is part of the DCH system.</p><p>No one has challenged the medical credentials of Southeast Cancer Network doctors, but they were denied staff privileges based on an exclusive contract DCH has with another oncology group.</p><p>The Supreme Court in 2003 upheld DCH System's right to enforce its exclusive contract that froze out Southeast Cancer Network.</p><p>Oncology Associates of West Alabama has agreed to amend its contract to allow Southeast Cancer Network physicians to apply for staff privileges. The doctors will still have to meet all other entry requirements.</p><p>State Rep. Robert Bentley, R-Tuscaloosa, said the compromise is about what's best for those who need medical care.</p><p>"I think it's an acceptable compromise that has been worked out to the benefit of all patients in Tuscaloosa County," said Bentley, a physician.</p><p>Rep. Mike Millican, D-Hamilton, chairman of the House Health Committee who sponsored a bill identical to Means', said he would not push his House bill until someone asks for it.</p>